Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-10-12
 

Marta opened the meeting by welcoming our guests: Jan Taylor, SuAnne Cobb, Sharon Carter, and Kathryn Paradis.

Program: Story as a Coaching Tool, presented by Marcia Walker.
Storytelling is a time-honored way to teach, influence, challenge and inspire. Marcia entertained us with yarns from her Alabama past as well as tips on how to use story in our coaching. We quickly learned that hearing story sparks the imagination and anticipation. It moves our thoughts from our head to our heart, and creates an energizing emotional connection.

Marcia gave a resource website to enhance our storytelling abilities: www.storydynamics.com She also used a simple formula to build stories into our coaching by using Change, Actions, and Result: CAR

She challenged us to use stories to interpret our past, make sense of the present, and tell a future into being.

Closing Announcements about the Nov. workshop: Jo Anne Lavendar told us about her coaching experience with the workshop leader, Evelyn Windley Kaufman. Evelyn is President of the Kentucky Coaches Alliance and is a certified life coach and certified career management coach. She will coach each participant in designing a personal vision for their business. Sharon then challenged each member to stay for the afternoon brainstorming session. Evelyn will facilitate as we decide, “Who are we now?” Come be a part of the development of ETCA 2008.

Marcia and Sharon will provide directions to the More to Life Center which will be the location for the workshop. Yvonne will re-issue an updated announcement with directions.

Members Present:
Bailey, Jim
Carter, Michael
Conklin, Bill
Hart, Yvonne
Holman, Janice
Hoover, Sharon
Lavender, Jo Anne
March, Phyllis
Murrell, Marta
Pankiewicz, Mary
Walker, Marcia
Wills, Annie

Respectfully submitted by Yvonne Hart
ETCA Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-09-15
 

Marcia initiated discussion by asking each table to share a recent conflict. After lunch, Marcia introduced the speaker Psychologist John Hoover, PhD, consultant, trainer and coach. He presented a comprehensive model for conflict, entitled the Uniting Power of Conflict.

Purpose: Transform adversarial conflict into constructive conflict by participating with that intention (must be intentional).

You will naturally react to conflict. Your instincts want to go to your normal way of reacting. You must stop and make a choice to make this conflict constructive.

The model based on the game of baseball was inspired by the book Ultimate Athlete by George Leonard

Story of Games – The game of Games-Life
1. Games have existed since the beginning of time in every society
2. They are essential for healthy unit (
3. Creates connection and restores vitality
What constitutes a game?
1. Has a beginning and end
2. At a location or space, not everywhere
3. Has an “as if” nature; play as if it’s just a game
4. There are rules to the game
Compare this to conflict. Each point is applicable

Rules must be defined. Makes the playing field level
a. Define limits
b. boundaries of play
c. time limits for start and end
d. Number of players
e. Roles of players
f. Positions of players
g. Clarify what constitutes a foul
h. Define “best practices” realize you must give us sometime, i.e. the desire to win

Basic Needs in Distress
1. First basic need: their distress matters to someone (example; baby-wet-cries)
2. Their distress is understood
i. By themselves
ii. By others
3. Determine the motive of the distress (part of our mind always accuses us=I’m not important enough for an answer.)
4. Return to safety resolution
i. Resolution
ii. a cessation of the distress feeling

Define conflict:
• When something is perceived unfair
• Despute of view points or preferences
• A perceived threat to my rights, privileges or safety

Nature of Conflict-Differing points of view that can lead to feelings of anger, frustration or hostility

Positive intention of conflict
• Noble purpose is to return to fairness, equality or balance
• Anger is a secondary emotion – hurt is under there

Real meaning of IRATE (negative, resentful, rage)
• What they’re really saying is “I rate” or I matter, I am important
• When we’re discounted we feel it’s not fair, not equal, unbalanced

Importance of Conflict
• Health of relationship-elevate it to status of a game
• Think of it as a special event deserving the same consideration as all games
• Most importantly: it has rules

BASEBALL model (The skill game of conflict)
• Opposing sides and rules govern play
• Difference between how you see it and I see it
• Personal background-forms filters for perceiving, interpreting, valuing, seeing
• Everything is a point of view
• Reaching agreements constructively is a valuable skill

1. First base- Accommodate feelings
• Conflict arises-batter hits the ball-
• an accusation is made
• someone is IRATE=which equals “blame”

How do you play first base?
1. Accommodate feelings
2. Make space – give them room
3. Be willing to hear the other person’s point of view
• Open eyes, ears, mind, body, but close your mouth
• Be respectful
• Be receptive-consciously take a breath-direct body, facial expression and verbal tone
• Practice both verbal and non-verbal accommodation

2. Second base - Acknowledge their point of view

How do you play second?
a. Respect them by verbally saying their own words back to them
b. Acknowledging does not mean agreeing…it just means understanding
c. Do not correct what the person is saying even if you know they are off base

3. Short Stop - Verify what they mean and what you think they mean
How to play short stop:
• Ask questions about the “batter’s” meaning or inference: “Do you mean...?”
• Verify your own confusion and assumptions “Do you mean...?”

4. Third Base –State your intention
How do we play 3rd base?
• State what your intentions:
o What they are not first “It is not our intention to do…”
o What it is
• Be willing to own your part
• Tell the truth

5. Home Plate – return to resolution-clarify what you are both here for

How to play at home plate?
a. Look for points of agreement
b. Initiate switch to the next half of the inning

Now where are we? Remember there are lots of innings in baseball
• Process not resolution
• Accumulate points of agreement
• What we are for not against

Rules of Play: (Remember any time someone is against something, they are for something.)
1. Stand UP for your point of view
2. Don not put others person DOWN
3. Respect the other person
4. Stay on one issue
5. Look for common factors of agreement
6. State what you are FOR, not what you are AGAINST
7. Be brief
8. Complete with an agreement

Summary:
• Have the intention to transform adversarial conflict into constructive conflict
• Establish your “rules of engagement.”
• Stay focused on what you are for, not what you are against.

ETCA members at the meeting were:
Jim Bailey
Michael Carter
Bill Conklin
Linda Hamilton
Yvonne Hart
Janice Holman
Sharon Hoover
Judith Ideker
Phyllis March
Marta Murrell
Mary Pankiewicz
Debbie Price
Sandy Rees
Annie Wills
Guests were:
John Hoover (Speaker)
SuAnne Cobb (Annie Wills)
Sharon Carter (Annie Wills)
Tonya Bennett (Marcia Walker)
Mac Powell (Marcia Walker)
Jerri Yates (Former Member)
Respectfully submitted by
Yvonne Hart, Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-08-10
 

ETCA Minutes for August 10, 2007
Members attending: Jim Bailey, Jeff Brunson, Michael Carter, Bill Conklin,
Lori Galbraith, Paula Harriss, Ellen Hitchcock, Sharon Hoover, Phyllis March, Marta Murrell, Mary Pankiewicz, Debbi Price, Sandy Rees, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

Guests: Kit Hoffman (speaker), Angelia Moon

Opening and announcements: Marta Murrell opened the meeting and welcomed our guests and new members Jim Bailey and Bill Conklin. Mary Pankiewicz is in search of a cluttered attic space with an owner who is willing to have it transformed for a TV segment. Contact Mary if interested. Ellen Hitchcock announced the publication of her book, Nature’s Magical Moments: Reflections on Nature and Self. Congratulations, Ellen!

Program: Ethical Living: A Way of Life, presented by Kit Hoffman

Ellen introduced our Kit Hoffman, who is an international teacher/trainer in leadership development. Most of her work has been in the governmental sector.

Kit opened with a series of examples of the ethical dilemmas faced by people in government agencies ranging from the CDC (guarding an individual’s right to privacy about HIV+ status vs. risk to others working in a lab with that individual) to the Department of Education (what to do about the “no child left behind” program that has not produced the desired outcomes). Ethical dilemmas are often right/right dilemmas with one being a choice to protect the individual or self and the other option being a choice to protect a larger community.

We learn ethics from parents, teachers, TV, the workplace, sports, church, athletic coaches, and the internet, among other places. Ethical use of the internet is now being taught in some schools. These programs are teaching children correct, ethical ways to use information they gather on the net and help them to understand that there are unethical people posting things on the net.

Kit shared a story about asking her grandchild to make an ethical decision about a hypothetical situation. By gradually adding more information to the scenario, she demonstrated how circumstances can change our perspective on what the most ethical choice would be. The story also demonstrated that we often think there is an authority outside of us who will ultimately decide how to handle a situation. In the story, the child decided to report to the teacher until she came to a set of circumstances that seemed to be irresolvable to her. In fact, most situations need to be decided among those who are involved. There often is not that outside authority who will make it all right.

Kit said that our behavior is determined by our individual beliefs and values. We made a list of important values, then shared at each table about ethical dilemmas we have experienced around some of those values.

After our rich table discussions, Kit gave us Bert Gerber’s Four-Prong test to determine if something is ethical. He is an ex-CIA operative.
1) The legal test. Is it legal?
2) The gut test. How does it feel?
3) The media test. How would you explain this to the media?
4) The mom test. How would you feel if your mom knew you were doing this?

Kit summarized that the balancing personal survival versus the group life is an essential function of being human.

Kit is now retired, but worked for many years through the Office of Personnel Management for the federal government. She passed along contact information for coaches who are interested in providing some services through that office. They use trainers/speakers and private coaches for participants in their programs.

Kathy Hanson
304-870-8025
OPM Eastern Management Development Center

Closing announcements:
Case study
From 1-2 p.m., Mary Pankiewicz shared a case study that presented her with an ethical dilemma. Sharon Hoover facilitated our discussion. Before beginning, we set up some guidelines to use a coach approach for our interactions with Mary. Thank you, Mary for bringing your case to share with us.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker

 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-07-13
 

Marta opened the meeting by welcoming guests and asking their host to introduce them. Gloria Nelson was the guest of Yvonne Hart, SuAnne Cobb was the guest of Annie Willis, Jim Bailey was the guest of Marcia Walker and Deanna Jones was Debbie Price’s guest

Vice President Marcia Walker introduced speaker Annie Willis. Annie talked informally about the different Enneagram types, and give an overview of this comprehensive personality typing system that describes nine distinct ways of seeing the world. Knowing your type allows you to understand your worldview and how it is different from the perspectives held by others. The Enneagram also looks at the spiritual path to faith for each type.

Since the Enneagram is a multifaceted system, Annie suggested a book for those wanting an overview in layman’s terms: The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron and Elizabeth Wagele. Her comment was, “It’s a good place to start, but by all means not to end.”

Marta announced our meeting in August will be led by Dr. Kit Hoffman. It will be on Ethical Living a Way of Life. Sharon Hoover will be facilitating our case studies during the 1:00 to 2:00 period. If you have a case study about ethics that you would like to use, please contact Sharon coachingworks@sharonhoover.com As our Committee chair of Membership Engagement Sharon is also overseeing a new professional brochure for ETCA. We’ll be hearing more about it soon.

The officers are also looking for a speaker for a workshop, possibly in November. Marcia is researching a new meeting location. We are looking for a place where we have the flexibility of using table tops of four which are more conducive to discussion and peer coaching.

Lori Galbraith made an appeal for the CAC Community Leadership program. For more details contact Lori lgalbraith@bellsouth.net

Michael Curry announced his marketing class will be doing a marketing plan for a non-profit organization. He also has invited us to audit his marketing class. It is a six-week class that meets on Friday evening. For more details contact him at Michael@TheCareerCoachOnline.com

The roundtable discussion was led by Past President Jeff Brunson on marketing ideas.

Members present were Jeff Brunson, Michael Carter, Michael Curry, Lori Galbraith, Linda Hamilton, Yvonne Hart, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Marta Murrell, Debbie Price, Linda Pucci, Marcia Walker and Annie Willis.

Respectfully submitted by
Yvonne Hart, Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-06-08
 

Attendees:
Eric Benson, Jeff Brunson, Michael Carter, Lori Galbraith, Linda Hamilton, Yvonne Hart, Ellen Hitchcock, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Jo Anne Howell, Shoray Kirk, Phyllis March, Melanie McGhee, Mary Pankiewicz, Debbie Price, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

In Marta’s absence, Vice President Marcia Walker opened the meeting by welcoming guest Sharon Carter-guest of Annie Willis, and Phyllis Luckin was also visiting. Marcia then introduced the committee chairs: Sharon Hoover-Membership Engagement, Ellen Hitchcock-Learning and Professional Development, and Eric Benson-Social and Outreach Committee. She announced each committee chair would be at the 1:00 roundtable for those who would be interested in joining their committee.

Marcia then introduced Michael Carter who presented his program which was an introduction to a self-coaching and personal leadership model, titled Nine Keys to Invest in Integrity, which he has synthesized from numerous authors works from various disciplines and combined with life experiences in education and coaching. The model is a uniquely comprehensive combination of nine actions of self-coaching which include related skills/practices. The simple yet elegant ABC organization provides a highly adaptable, effective, and easily learned program designed to be a wise investment in personal and professional integrity and inner work. The model accents the dance between “being and becoming.”

Members participated in a brief sampling of skills including: attending to mindfulness, an advanced appreciation exercise, and being aware of button pushing. Participating members were encouraged to discuss concepts and skills that “stood out” for them and develop ways to influence positive habits.

Michael suggested that by investing in our self-development we are able to know ourselves better, and thus experience relationships at a deeper level. Because “leadership begins within,” this model provides an empowering path to optimizing personal leadership which is foundational to personal, academic, and professional success and happiness.
The following books are recommended by Michael:
• Fusion Leadership by Richard Daft and Robert Lengel
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• Conscious Business by Fred Kofman
• Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Dialogue by William Isaacs
• Train Your Mind Change Your Brain by Sharon Begley
• Emotional Alchemy by Tara Bennett-Goleman
• Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
• Wisdom Walkers’ Vision and Practice for Inner Work* by Michael Carter

*Note: This is a re-formatting of the fourth chapter of Michael’s dissertation, Reasoning for Wisdom in Emotional Education. It includes a comprehensive bibliography.

Marcia closed our meeting by giving a moment to breathe in the wealth of information Michael had shared with us. Our next meeting will be July 13, 11:30 at Green Hills Grille.

Respectfully submitted by Yvonne Hart
ETCA Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-05-11
 

President Marta Murrell welcomed and invited everyone to chat with those at their table.

Jeff Brunson led a panel discussion on ETCA’s 2007 focus on professionalism, and ways to increase the professionalism of our organization.

Panel members were:
Linda Pucci-representing life and business coaching, Michael Carter-professional leadership coaching, Judith Ideker-executive coaching, and Mary Pankiewicz-organization and project management coaching.

Linda commented on her recent participation in a California conversation among masters with the focus on professionalism.

Jeff led with a comment from the book he’s reading, The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss. His take away from the book: our business is the enemy of our focus.

The panel did a great job of defining coaching from their individual perspectives. There was an interesting discussion about ethical issues, and Judith gave us a great simple answer to dual roles…if you have more than one role with this person, discord is a possibility. There were differing ideas which brought clarity to the subject.

Members in attendance:
Jeff Brunson
Michael Carter
Yvonne Hart
Ellen Hitchcock
Sharon Hoover
Judith Ideker
Marta Murrell
Mary Pankiewicz
Debbie Price
Marcia Walker
Linda Pucci
Annie Willis
Christine Barrett
Guests: Linda Hamilton

There was a impromptu meeting of the officers attending the round table, and decided June’s meeting will be a strategic planning session. Michael Carter will be leading the program in July on self-coaching.

Respectfully submitted by Yvonne Hart
ETCA Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-04-13
 

There were 18 members in attendance:

Eric Benson
Michael Carter
Lori Galbraith
Yvonne Hart
Paula Harris
Ellen Hitchcock
Janice Holman
Sharon Hoover
Jo Anne Lavender
Shoray Kirk
Melanie McGhee
Phyllis March
Marta Murrell
Mary Pankiewicz
Debbie Price
Linda Pucci
Marcia Walker
Annie Wills

Marcia opened the meeting by welcoming guest of Linda Pucci, Linda Hamilton, and guest of Lori Galbraith, Windie Wilson. She then introduced member Jo Anne Lavender’s program Focus on Your Strengths.

Jo Anne recommended using the book Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton which gives a code to use for an online assessment. The bottom line of the book is that companies should hire for talents and not skills.

Jo Anne gave a handout packet for each person to assess their own Learning-Thinking-Working (LTW) Styles asking us to emphasize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. If we focus on our strengths, we can be great, if we focus on our weaknesses, we’ll be sad.

On the LTW Style assessment, those plotted in the upper left quadrant are high energy, big picture types with weaknesses of burnout and lack of follow-up. Those in the upper right are calm, caring and community…good in a crises. Their weaknesses are not liking change, not moving quickly and not liking conflict because of their focus on harmony. Those in lower right are thorough, responsible, structured with weaknesses of not self-promoting and perfectionist qualities. The lower left are fast paced, task oriented and productive planners with the weaknesses of being bossy and alienating because of their direct manner and task orientation.

Jo Anne ended the program by having everyone make a statement of what they were going to do to use their strengths and what weaknesses they will give up.

Both our President and Vice President made statements about personal issues that would make them less accessible.

Respectfully submitted by Yvonne Hart, ETCA Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-03-09
 

There were twelve members and 2 guests at our March meeting. Members were:

Eric Benson
Michael Carter
Lori Galbraith
Yvonne Hart
Janice Holman
Judith Ideker

Marta Murrell
Mary Pankiewicz
Debbie Price
Linda Pucci
Sandy Rees
Marcia Walker


Our March meeting began with discussion at each table prompted by a request from our speaker, Linda Pucci. The discussions centered around stuck language versus change language.

Linda’s presentation was titled The Use of Language in Facilitating Change. She explained that language is the primary way we give instruction to our brains through the mechanisms of biological and quantum physics. As demonstrated in the movie What the Bleep Do We Know? Words are what we use to change our brain. Our brains do not process negatives directly. Pay attention to the negatives a client uses.

Linda discussed and gave handouts on:
 Intonation patterns in the English language; how we use our voices.
1. Up at the end of a sentence = question
2. Straight across intonation = statement
3. Down at the end = command


 Linguistic presuppositions which are useful for constructing responses to facilitate change. When dealing with a mis-matcher (someone who tends toward the differences and can be argumentative), Linda suggested using a tag question to work around it.

 Constructing powerful questions. Why is the most powerful question, but can often cause defensiveness. Using “how come?” can diffuse the why question. Watch for and use words related to time.

 Classification of Modal Operators move clients toward possibility, even if they stay with the probable.

1. Negative Necessity
2. Improbability
3. Impossibility
4. Necessity
5. Probability
6. Possibility

Linda’s last tip was giving feedback using the sandwich:
1. Start with what was well done
2. Critique or suggestion for change
3. Overall, I liked…

She mentioned a useful book for this approach: The Managerial Moment of Truth.

Marta updated the membership on a possible seminar that would need their assistance in promotion. She welcomed our guests Windie Wilson and Steve Rutledge. Then reminded everyone to complete their template for the ETCA Directory and print one for each member (24). Each member can them compile their own notebook of ETCA coaches and their specialties.

Respectfully submitted by Yvonne Hart, ETCA Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-02-09
 

There were twenty members in attendance:


Jeff Brunson, Raeus Cannon, Michael Carter, Michael Curry, Pris Dearolph, Lori Galbraith, Yvonne Hart, Judith Henry,Janice Holman, Ellen Hitchcock, Sharon Hoover, Judith Ideker, Shoray Kirk
Jo Anne Lavender, Marta Murrell, Mary Pankiewicz, Debbie Price, Marcia Walker, Judith Ideker, and Annie Willis

Judith Ideker opened the meeting by welcoming guests. We had four guests: John Harrison, Paula Harriss, Deb Smitz and Karen Beratti.

She then asked each table to discuss among their members their vision for their business in two years. After the discussion and lunch, the panel for Ask the Experts convened: Ellen Hitchcock, Annie Willis, Jeff Brunson and Sharon Hoover. Judith asked questions that had been submitted by members about the mindset the clients had for their clients, the use of client prep sheets, shadow coaching, accountability tips, follow up and follow through, terminating or firing a client, and assessments. There were many tips from the personal coaches, as well as the executive coaches.

After the discussion, Janice Holman reported on the committee researching a directory for members. She submitted a form that each coach would fill specific to his or her coaching practice. Each member could keep the sheets in a three ring binder. It would be the responsibility of members to print out and distribute their information to all other members. Judith Henry suggested we go with the form and format for one year, then re-evaluated and make suggestions for change. All agreed.

Guests Paula Harriss told of cheapcolorcopies.com, which would make color copies for .25/page and ship within 48 hours. She had used them and recommended their work. Marta commented she would like to have a short story of each member’s journey to coaching.

Michael Curry announced a class at Tusculum about marketing that can be audited for $100. He recommended it for anyone interested in improving the marketing for their business. It begins Friday, February 16th, goes 6 weeks from 6:00 to 10:00PM. If more information is needed, call Michael Curry at 389-0488.

The meeting was dismissed with fourteen members staying for the roundtable discussion.

Respectfully submitted by Yvonne Hart, ETCA Secretary 2007
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2007-01-07
 

Members present:
Linda Pucci, Janice Holman, Marta Murrell, Judith Ideker, Debbie Price, Annie Willis, Marcia Walker, Ellen Hitchcock, Jeff Brunson, Sharon Hoover, Melanie McGhee, Yvonne Hart, Mary Pankiewicz and Michael Carter. There were two guests: Christine Barrett and Jim Pickley.

New President Marta Murrell opened the meeting by asking, “How can ETCA support you in the coming year?” This led to a list of ideas from a annotative member directory to program suggestions:
 Exposure to new ideas – book
 Credentialing Pros and Cons
 Conversations Among Masters
 Scheduling Challenges
 Collaborative Opportunities
 Encouragement to Take the Next Steps
 Accountability Assignment
 Explore Accountability
 Using Assessments
 Ethics
 Coaching Program
 Sharing Tangible Products
 Creating Tangible Products

Jeff announced the leadership was taking responsibility for the learning and professional development. Marta asked members to sign up to help with programs on the list.

There were several names mentioned for outside speakers who would come in to do workshops. There was discussion about who should the speaker appeal to: internally-personal growth or appeal to professional coaches in the area?

Judith announced that the February 9th meeting would be titled, Ask the Experts…Everything you’ve always wanted to know about coaching. Send questions to Judith at jideker@bellsouth.net for panel discussion from the experts: Annie Willis, Ellen Hitchcock, Sharon Hoover and Jeff Brunson.

Judith also told us about the WUOT online action and it was discussed whether we wanted to be involved. Marcia Walker took the responsibility to inquire about the details.

Respectfully submitted by Yvonne Hart.
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-11-10
 

ETCA Minutes for November 10, 2006
Members attending: Jeff Brunson, Pris Dearolph, Yvonne Hart, Ellen Hitchcock, Sharon Hoover, Judith Ideker, Melanie McGhee, Marta Murrell, Debbi Price, Linda Pucci, Marcia Walker,

Guests: Michael Carter

Opening and announcements: Jeff Brunson welcomed members and our guest. He asked for feedback on the Green Hills Grille (please send to Jeff and/or Marta). The next meeting will be December 8, location to be announced. The executive committee will take feedback from the membership and make a decision on a permanent location for 2007.
_____________________________________________________________
The program was a discussion of how our coaching practices have evolved and are evolving. The coaching proficiency for the month was sharing what you know.

In our table discussions, we shared how our coaching practices have developed, what milestones or turns in the road helped to shape them, and what it has required of us to create the practices we have now.

After the table discussions, Melanie led a large group discussion about common themes that came from our conversations. Some of those themes were:
• Struggling with marketing, especially in the beginning, then reaching a ‘tipping point’ where that is less of a struggle.
• “Taking your seat” or positioning yourself as a coach
 No longer bartering services, no more free sessions, raising fees
• Finding the fee structure and business model that fits for you
• Trying out different coaching styles or niches to find ‘yours’
• Doing what you love to do/feel called to do (and letting go of other things)

Melanie invited us to pair up with another coach and meet with them before December 12 to share the timelines of our coaching practices.

Jeff closed the meeting with an announcement from this morning’s Board meeting. He asked for input from the membership for articulating our focus for 2007, which the Board has begun to see as focusing on becoming the best coaches we can be.

Next meeting: Friday, December 8, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, location to be announced.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker, ETCA Secretary

 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-10-13
 

ETCA Minutes for October 13, 2006
Members attending: Eric Benson, Jeff Brunson, Raeus Canon, Lori Galbraith, Yvonne Hart, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Judith Ideker, Jan Martin, Marta Murrell, Mary Pankiewicz, Debbi Price, Linda Pucci, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

Guests: Karen Beratta, Michelle Portman

Opening and announcements: Jeff Brunson welcomed members and guests in a new meeting place, Rothchild’s catering. He thanked Annie Wills and Marta Murrell for their work on checking out possible meeting places and lining up this one at Rothchild’s.
________________________________________________________________
Beth Chang introduced Mary Pankiewicz of Clutter-Free and Organized.

Procrastinating leads to clutter and disorganization, and that is especially true when we procrastinate on handling the paper in our offices and homes. “Procrastination is the fertilization that makes difficulties grow.”

Mary asked us to share at our tables about three things we’re procrastinating on in our office or work.

Why we procrastinate:
Fear of failure
Fear of success
Perfectionism
Avoiding decision-making

Mary says that we conquer procrastination by self-awareness and being alert. For those things we’ve procrastinated on for so long that there is a big backlog, Mary recommends starting today and moving forward. Then, as it’s possible, figure out how to go back. If you try to conquer the whole situation before dealing with the current stuff, you’re not likely to ever get it done. She also suggested asking what the best use of your time is, and then consider hiring someone to do the things that will take a disproportionate amount of your time.

A good strategy is to break projects up into manageable chunks and schedule time on your calendar to do those pieces.

It takes 80% of our energy to get something 80% done. The last 20% will also take 80% of your energy, so that last 20% is where we get stuck. Learn to let go of perfectionism. Find someone with the expertise to complete it, or to help you complete it. “Have no fear of perfectionism. You will never achieve it.” Salvador Dali

Do It Now
If it takes 3-5 minutes, do it now. Things may ‘feel’ much bigger than they are.
Ask if you will have more information later to help make the decision or do the thing. If not, do it now. If so, schedule it.

Consider that if you don’t want to do it now, you’re not likely to want to do it later. Mary’s saying is that if you’ve got to swallow a live green toad, do it first thing in the morning and get it over with!

Tips for handling mail:
Look at mail standing over the trash can. There’s more blood in the brain when we are standing, and we make better decisions.
Ask “Did I ask for this?”
Credit card solicitations can be stopped. Mary has a link on her website to request to be removed from those lists.
Are those magazines really a pleasure or a pain? (Do you feel guilty because you don’t get around to reading them?)
Take your name off catalog mailing lists

When coaching someone about organization, practice respect for your client’s humanity and build on the skills that they already have. Help the client find pockets of organization in their lives and build on their own competency.

Mary gave us time to make a plan to tackle something we’ve been procrastinating on. She gave us these suggestions:
Ask yourself if you really want to do it? Journaling may be helpful here.
If you break it into smaller tasks, reward yourself as you take your steps.
Get an accountability partner.
Mary’s 2-hour workshop, Get Organized for Greater Success followed the meeting. Thanks, Mary for both the program and the workshop!

Watch for the Nominating Committee’s proposed slate of officers soon! We will be voting via email this month for our 2007 officers.

Next meeting: Friday, November 10, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, location to be announced.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker, ETCA Secretary

 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-09-08
 

ETCA Minutes for September 8, 2006
Members attending: Eric Benson, Yvonne Hart, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Judith Ideker, Shoray Kirk, Marta Murrell, Debbi Price, Linda Pucci, Larry Riesberg, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

Guests: Barbara Andrew, Meredith Howard, Anne Tousek

Opening and announcements: Marta Murrell opened the meeting and welcomed our guests.

~ The search for a new meeting place is in progress. There may be a need to change the day of our meetings to get the space we want. Marta will keep us posted.

~ Sharon Hoover reminded us that it’s time to nominate those we’d like to lead us as officers in 2007. Nominations are due to Sharon (sharon@sharonhoover.com) by September 15th. Elections will be held in October.
________________________________________________________________
Yvonne Hart introduced Larry Riesberg who presented the program.

Program: Peer Coaching featuring the Coaching Competency, “Communicates Cleanly” Presented by Larry Riesberg

Larry first posed the question, “What gets in the way of communicating clearly?”
Pre-conceptions
Lack of clarity about – about what we want to say or about what we hear
Differing styles
Using technical expressions or jargon
Emotionality
Not taking time
‘Spinning the message’
Cultural differences such as age, background, etc

What are some key distinctions?
1. Clean it up vs. give it up (handle or own your ‘stuff’ instead of leaking it)
2. Eliminate the ‘buffer’
3. Absence of vs. unnecessary additives (take out unnecessary buffers, words, etc. Don’t tell the client what you are going to do, just do it.

How do you communicate cleanly?
Throw away your coaching hat (be authentic)
Communicate any biases
Share concerns as they appear
Believe in the client
Share inklings/intuition frequently
Share with vs talk to/at the client
Be unconditionally constructive
Be responsible for how you’re heard
Replace puffery with respect
Lighten the significance in your voice
Resolve the need you have to speak

To demonstrate how peer coaching triads work, Larry and Linda Pucci did a brief coaching session, and the rest of the group functioned as the third part of the triad to give feedback specifically on how Linda as the coach communicated cleanly. Then we divided into triads and practiced.

The observer in the triad is to focus on a specific coaching competency and give feedback about that. This is a very effective way to build coaching skills. A typical pattern might be 45 minute coaching session followed by 15 minutes of feedback from the observer.

Larry invited the group to consider peer coaching within ETCA, and recommended the coaching triad as a good model.

Next meeting: Friday, October 13, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM at the University Center.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker, ETCA Secretary

 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-08-11
 

ETCA Minutes for August 11, 2006

Members attending: Eric Benson, Jeff Brunson, Raeus Canon, Pris Dearolph, Yvonne Hart, Judith Henry, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Judith Ideker, Jo Anne Lavender, Jan Martin, Marta Murrell, Mary Pankiewicz, Debbi Price, Linda Pucci, Larry Riesberg, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

Guests: Gloria Nelson, Judy Robinson, Kathleen Scruggs, Carrie Wagner, Elaine Wilson

Opening and announcements: Jeff Brunson opened the meeting and welcomed our guests.

~ Next month, will have a contest to find a tagline for ETCA to use on our website and in our materials. Bring your ideas to the September meeting.

~ Pris Dearolph gave an update on the SOC (Service and Outreach Committee) plans to increase the visibility of ETCA and promote awareness and credibility of the coaching profession. There are two projects: panel presentations and a Coaches Corner in local media for articles about coaching. The format for the panel presentations will be an overview about coaching, brief presentations about their practices from two business coaches and two life coaches, questions and answers, and testimonials from coaching clients. The SOC is looking for people who want to be panelists, recommend coaching clients to speak, suggest organizations we could present to, or write articles for the Coaches Corner.
________________________________________________________________

Program: "Overcoming Objections" presented by Linda Pucci. Linda is a psychologist and life coach whose practice, The Inner Resource Center, is located in Maryville. She was ETCA’s first president.

Three Conditions Necessary for Buying Your Product or Service:
1) They have a need.
2) You have a solution.
3) You are able to link the need or value to your product or service.

Linda pointed out that the motivation to buy your product or service is already there by the time a prospective client or customer talks to you.
Objections may be either real or emotional. There are three basic reasons for objections:

1. You are not in rapport.
2. The client doesn’t see the value in what you have to offer,
3. The client is stuck in their way of thinking about the problem or goal.

The last point led Linda into a discussion of the Coaching Proficiency for the day: "The coach recognizes perfection in every situation." Linda Pucci pointed out that when prospective clients express their objections about committing to coaching, it is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how coaching can help. When people have objections, their current way of thinking is preventing them from seeing the possibilities for their lives that coaching might offer or how they could make it work (find the time or money, get results, etc). By asking questions, the coach can help them shift their perspective to open up the array of possibilities.

In order to handle a prospective client’s objections, we must first establish rapport. Rapport happens at a subconscious level, and is most easily established when someone believes that the other person is “like them.” Mirroring and matching someone is a great way to connect with them in a way that establishes rapport. Many coaches already do this either consciously or unconsciously. By focusing on mirroring and matching, we can become even better at creating rapport quickly with people. Mirror and match
1. physiology (posture, proximity, handshakes, facial expressions, even the pace of breathing and eye-blinking)
2. voice (tone, tempo, volume, timbre)
3. use of language (key words or phrases, style of imagery, rhythm of speech, etc)
4. find common associations or experiences

The most common objections to hiring a coach fall into these categories:
1. Not enough time
2. Not enough money
3. It won’t work for me
4. I don’t believe you

We brainstormed questions to ask that could help the client reframe their objections to see the value of the services and possibilities that coaching can offer them.

Next meeting: Friday, September 8, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker, ETCA Secretary

 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-07-14
 

ETCA Minutes for July 14, 2006

Members attending: Eric Benson, Jeff Brunson, Beth Chang, Yvonne Hart, Sharon Hoover, Judith Ideker, Melanie McGhee, Marta Murrell, Mary Pankiewicz, Debbi Price, Linda Pucci, Larry Riesberg, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

Guests: Meredith Howard, Terry Norman, Kathleen Scruggs

Opening and announcements: Jeff Brunson opened the meeting and welcomed our guests.

PLEASE BE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR RSVP. Reserve your place by Tuesday before the meeting. Previously, the University Club staff has been lenient with us, and allowed us to pay for meals served rather than meals reserved. That will change, especially once the meals are catered from outside the University Club. Use the RSVP function on the website (www.easttncoachesassoc.org) or call Jo Anne Howell Lavender at 865-300-8272 by Tuesday, August 8.

________________________________________________________________

Coaching Proficiency for the day: "Eliciting Greatness." Yvonne Hart led a discussion of Eliciting Greatness, with coaches offering examples from their work with clients and as clients. The coach acts as a catalyst for the client to rise above situations and find their power to take action.

Program: "The Brand Journey" presented by Jeff Brunson
A brand defines and distinguishes a product, service or business. Ideally, it is instantly recognizable, and brings to mind powerful associations that give a sense of what this product/service/business is about.

Our own branding is a journey that is unique to each of us. Jeff offered the story of his branding journey as an encouragement for each coach at whatever stage of that journey we happen to be. He pointed out that the reality is that wherever we are in the journey at any given point represents a step along the way. So even when we experience the current moment as confusing, discouraging, unsettling, etc, it is a necessary step in the process. He recommended Small Giants, which follows the development of small businesses that opted to remain small and become great.

We all have two brands: the one that is and the one we want. We build our brand by addressing the gap between what is and what will be. Good questions to ask are “What do people think of when they think of me?” and “What do I want them to think of me?”

From his experiences, Jeff summarized a “Brand Process” as follows:
1. Create your Internal/External Vision and Mission
2. Develop the articulation of your personal Purpose and/or Brand
3. Find your business focus from the intersection of your 3 circles (What is my passion?/What am I best at?/What focus will bring success?
4. Understand outcomes in the language of your clients
5. Develop your message – Based on ‘what’ not ‘how’
6. Find ‘tightly focused’ segments for your Marketing efforts
7. Develop your ‘unique’ Marketing Plan

Jeff gave us time to explore where we are in this process and to define three action steps to move us forward.

Next meeting: Friday, August 11, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Executive Committee will meet at 10:30 AM.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker, ETCA Secretary

 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-06-09
 

ETCA Minutes for June 9, 2006

Members attending: Eric Benson, Jeff Brunson, Raeus Cannon, Beth Chang, Kevin Corbett, Yvonne Hart, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Jo Anne Howell Lavender, Judith Ideker, Jan Martin, Melanie McGhee, Marta Murrell, Mary Pankiewicz, Sandy Rees, Marcia Walker, Jerri Yates, Debbi Price

Guests: Mindy Montgomery, Stacy Myers, Rhonda Jones

Opening and announcements: Jeff Brunson opened the meeting and welcomed our guests.

Due to a change in her work duties, Shoray Kirk is no longer able to attend most of our meetings and is stepping out of the role of Treasurer. Janice Holman is our new Treasurer. Thank you, Janice!

PLEASE BE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR RSVP. Reserve your place by Tuesday before the meeting. The University Club is transitioning to a new function. After the end of August, we will be meeting in a different room and the meals will be catered. We will no longer be able to meet at the University Club after the end of 2006. Jeff and Marta Murrell met with the staff to determine how this affects us in the mean time. Until now, the staff has been lenient with us, and allowed us to pay for meals served rather than meals reserved. That will change, especially once the meals are catered from outside the University Club. Use the RSVP function on the website (www.easttncoachesassoc.org) or call Jo Anne Howell Lavender at 865-300-8272 by Tuesday before the meeting.

Program: “Pink Spoon Marketing” presented by Melanie McGhee, LCSW

Coaching Proficiency for the day: “Engaging in provocative conversations” Each table discussed the qualities of provocative conversations. Willingness to pursue the truth and energy and passion in the conversation were mentioned. Melanie offered the Three D’s for Provocative Conversations, attributed to Thomas Leonard:
“Duh!” statement – stating the obvious
Doubting – compassionately doubting what the client is saying
Deepening questions
Go to http://www.coachville.com/15prof.html for more about the Coaching Proficiencies.

Pink Spoon Marketing is a concept in Andrea Lee’s book, Multiple Streams of Coaching Income (http://www.webcontactpro.net/app/?af=5314), and refers to the Baskin Robbins pink spoon for sampling flavors. “Have you ever gone to Baskin Robbins without buying ice cream?” The pink spoon gives prospects a “taste” of what you offer, and entices them to buy more. It is at the top of the funnel (wide side) of a progressively more expensive (money, time, commitment) set of products and services that you offer.

Prospects may begin with a pink spoon, then sample other layers before becoming on-going individual coaching clients. Layers of the funnel might look like this:
Pink spoon (free)
$4.95 - $50
$50 - $100
$200 - $500
$500+

Many coaches concentrate sample sessions as the one free “entry” point to their business. Drawbacks of relying solely on the sample session include the time required and the big jump for the prospective client from free to a commitment that may be $500/month for 3 months.

What are the defining characteristics of a pink spoon?
1. Free of charge
2. Made up of something deeply compelling and sought after
3. Relatively small in size
4. Easy to create, and don’t require an ongoing time commitment to deliver.
5. An introduction to your core business (accurately reflects your core business)

The 8 Steps to Mastering the Multiple Streams Product Funnel
1. Determine your niche market
2. Elicit the problems
3. Find the solutions
4. Choose your packaging
5. Generate traffic
6. Continue to convert (from prospect to buyer)
7. Feed you reservoir
8. Pursue a bold, outrageous, provocative position

Key Coaching Questions for discussion were “What do I want to sell more of?” and "What pink spoon would feed that funnel?”

Examples of pink spoon ideas: 10-20 page special report, flash movie, podcast, free teleclass, moderated discussion list, self-assessments, blog,

Melanie described the “one-banana website” as a great way to focus prospects attention on a product. The website is simple and describes that one product. It may have a link to your regular website. The advantage is the simplicity that allows for a quick visit, quick choice or purchase, and the ability to capture contact information from prospects.

Next meeting: Friday, July 14, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Executive Committee will meet at 10:30 AM.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker, ETCA Secretary


 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-05-12
 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric Benson, Jeff Brunson, Beth Chang, Pris Dearolph, Lori Galbraith, Yvonne Hart, Judith Henry, Sharon Hoover, Melanie McGhee, Marta Murrell, Debbie Price, Sandy Rees, Larry Riesberg, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills.

GUESTS: Meredith Howard, Juli Neil

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jeff Brunson, President, opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests.

The LAPD (Learning and Professional Development) Committee needs two people to help with host responsibilities for the meetings and with contacting, preparing and caring for our speakers. Let Melanie McGhee know if you’d like to help in that way.

The SOC (Service and Outreach) Committee is planning a panel presentation for a target audience about coaching. Judith Henry briefly described the plans for a moderator and two to four speakers representing life coaching and business coaching. The SOC is asking for input from the members about who to target and ideas for where to hold the presentation. Please complete the SOC questionnaire and return to Judith by May 29 (the original request was May 22, but that was extended because of technical difficulties in getting the electronic version out.)


PROGRAM: “Getting in Front of Your Target Audience”
Sandy Rees, CRFE, Fundraising Counsel and Training led us through a lively, informative program.

Who is your target audience?
Sandy began by asking us to describe our ideal client for our partners. She suggested using questions like:
• What age group are they in?
• How do they spend their spare time?
• What keeps them up at night?
• What is the one thing they most need help with?

To approach the same question in a completely different way, Sandy passed out crayons and paper and let us draw a picture that represented our ideal clients. Around the page, we listed adjectives or characteristics to describe those clients.

With a clear picture of the ideal client, you have a focused description of your target audience, which helps to zero in on where to position your message to reach the right audience. Sandy pointed out that once you know who you want to reach, you can rent mailing lists or piggyback your material with another service or business that will be appealing to the same target group.

What is your key message?
The key message will clearly articulate what you want your target audience to know about you and your services. What do you want to highlight? Your experience? Knowledge? Dependability? Ethics? How much fun it is to work with you?

How will you reach your target audience?
We listed a number of approaches to getting our message out. Sandy then challenged us to identify those that we are most comfortable and least comfortable with. Members coached each other about those that seem most scary to us.

We also looked at what will be the most effective method to reach the target audience.

Sandy gave an example of a highly effective newsletter that gives good information, highlights the services that are offered and lists upcoming opportunities to participate in seminars, workshops, etc. She also passed around a very well-designed direct mail piece.

Jeff shared that he has discovered that speaking and seminars are one of the most effective ways to reach his target market and gave examples of how that has worked for him.


NEXT MEETING:
Friday, June 9, 11:30-1:00, University Club
Presenter: Melanie McGhee, Illumined Life Coaching, will continue our exploration of effective marketing with “Pink Spoon Marketing.”

Please remember to RSVP through our website, www.easttncoachesassoc.org.


Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker
ETCA Secretary
 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-04-07
 

ETCA Minutes
04/07/06


MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric Benson, Karin Botica, Jeff Brunson, Raeus Cannon, Pris Dearolph, Lori Galbraith, Laimon Godel, Janice Holman, Ellen Hitchcock, Sharon Hoover, Jo Anne Howell, Jan Martin, Marta Murrell, Debbie Price, Larry Riesberg, Annie Wills.

GUESTS: Beth Chang

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jeff Brunson, President, opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests. He spoke to the Leadership Team's commitment to each committee's focus for 2006 and encouraged us to bring forward all our good, creative ideas, asking us to also understand if some are suspended for further conversation in light of our current committee focus.



PROGRAM: “Writing As a Marketing Tool; Easy Ways to Get Started”
Jan Martin, Martin Publishing [“You can be an author even if you’re not a writer”] presented an engaging and interactive program.

We began by identifying the many types of written products that can help us launch or expand our businesses: Book*, Article, Column, Booklet*, Direct Mail Letter, Manual*, Workbook*, How-to*, Newsletter, Ezine, Special Report, Information Product, Ebook*, Tip Sheet*, Speech or Program

[*All of these can be direct or indirect moneymakers, i.e., you could sell them, or they could bring you more business.]

Many of us say we can’t be salesmen; we can’t talk publicly. Written products can be an easier way to market ourselves as they:
• Create top-of-mind awareness
• Position you as an expert
• Show how you can solve their pain
• Show you’re the answer, the one to go to
• Lead to more exposure
• Create a marketable product
• Justify an increase of your fee

Each participant identified one thing we know that could be packaged into a written product, for example, “Ten Tips for . . .”, “Five Ways to . . .”, or “How to . . .” which provided the outline for a book or a series of articles.

An easy way to get started!
Additional tips Jan shared to make our product more marketable:
• Be sure your contact information is on it
• Add testimonials; facts tell, stories sell

Ways to use what you’ve written:
• Hand out free, as a thank you
• Send to former clients to stimulate more activity
• As a business card; answer to “What do you do?”
• Sell at the back of the room at a presentation or training
• Sell from your website
• Make into a CD – audio training

We all had the opportunity to experience how simple it can be to start down the road of becoming an author. Jan is a valuable resource for our members as she has extensive experience writing and editing books, articles and websites.


COACHING COMPETENCY: Powerful Questions
Marta Murrell, Dream Facilitators [“Championing the Dreams of the Next Generation”] presented our monthly Coaching Competency.

The ICF Core Competency Description: Ability to ask questions that reveal the information needed for maximum benefit to the coaching relationship and the client.
a. Asks questions that reflect active listening and an understanding of the client’s perspective
b. Asks questions that evoke discovery, insight, commitment or action (e.g., those that challenge the client’s assumptions)
c. Asks open-ended questions that create greater clarity, possibility or new learning
d. Asks questions that move the client towards what they desire, not questions that ask for the client to justify or look backwards

Marta shared a story from Parker Palmer’s book Let Your Life Speak. In it he describes being offered the opportunity to become the president of a small educational institution. He was sure this was the job for him and in accordance with Quaker custom he called upon 6 trusted friends to help him discern by means of a “clearness committee,” a 3 hour process in which the group asks you honest, open questions “to help you discern your own inner truth,” and refrains from giving advice. Palmer said at first the questions were easy: “What is your vision for this institution,” “What is its mission in the larger society,” etc. Then someone asked, “What would you like most about being president?”

“The simplicity of that question loosed me from my head and lowered me into my heart. I remember pondering for at least a full minute before I could respond. Then, very softly and tentatively, I started to speak: “Well, I would not like having to give up my writing and my teaching….I would not like the politics of the presidency, never knowing who your real friends are….I would not like having to glad-hand people I do not respect simply because they have money….I would not like….” After the questioner gently reminded him of the original question, he responded with more of what he would not like. A third try resulted in an honest, if painful, answer that Parker said “appalled even me as I spoke it.” “Well,” said I, in the smallest voice I possess, “I guess what I’d like most is getting my picture in the paper with the word president under it.” After a long silence, the questioner asked, “Parker, can you think of an easier way to get your picture in the paper?”

A clearness committee sounded a lot like coaching so I purchased his book, The Courage to Teach to find out more about it and the ground rules for dialogue they follow. Here are a few excerpts:

“Quick fixes make the person who shared the problem feel unheard and dismissed.”

“If we want to support each other’s inner lives, we must remember a simple truth: the human soul does not want to be fixed, it wants simply to be seen and heard.” “If we are willing to sit quietly and wait for a while, the soul may show itself.”

“We need ground rules for dialogue that allow us to be present to another person’s problem in a quiet, receptive way that encourages the soul to come forth, a way that does not presume to know what is right for the other but allows the other’s soul to find its own answers at its own level and pace.”

“….Committee members practice the discipline of giving undivided attention to that person and his or her question.” “Undivided attention means letting the focus person (person being coached for us), and his or her issue, be at the center of the circle without trying to put yourself there.” “Undivided attention means forgetting about yourself and acting as if you had no other purpose on earth than to care for this human being.”

“….Members are forbidden to speak to the focus person in any way except to ask that person an honest, open question.” “The ground rules of questions-only is simple, but its implications are demanding. It means no advice, no overidentification (“I had that problem once, and here is what I did”), no handing off the problem to someone else (“you ought to talk with X about this”), no suggestions of books to read, techniques to use, meditations to practice, therapists to see.”

“Before a clearness committee convenes, we must remind each other what an honest, open question is, so skilled are we at posing questions that are really advice in disguise. If I ask, “Have you thought about seeing a therapist?” honesty probably requires me to tell you that in my opinion, you should see a therapist.”

“Fifteen minutes before the committee is scheduled to end, someone asks the focus person if he or she wants to continue with the questions-only rule or would be willing to accept some mirroring in addition to more questions. Mirroring does not mean an opportunity to give advice. It means reflecting to the focus person things he or she said or did but might not be aware of: “When asked about A, you said B,” or “When you spoke about X, your voice dropped and you seemed tired, but when you spoke about Y, your energy rose and your eyes got bright.

Hope you enjoyed this fresh way of looking at powerful questions.


NEXT MEETING:
Friday, May 12, 11:30-1:00, University Club
Presenter: Sandy Rees, CRFE, Fundraising Counsel and Training, is an experienced, successful fundraiser and an accomplished presenter. Through her topic, “Getting in Front of Your Target Audience,” she will help us figure out who our target audience is, what our key messages are and which marketing strategies are the most effective for us considering our individual strengths.

Please remember to RSVP through our website, www.easttncoachesassoc.org.



 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-03-10
 

Members Present: Eric Benson, Karen Botica, Jeff Brunson, Michael Curry, Pris Dearolph, Lori Galbraith, Charles Gehres, Laimon Godel, Judith Henry, Janice Holman, Jo Anne Howell, Judith Ideker, Shoray Kirk, Jan Martin, Melanie McGhee, Marta Murrell, Debbie Price, Sandy Rees, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

Guests: Melissa Blevins. Gary Gray, Debbie Lane, Neal Lavender, Allen Lutz, Marcella Morgan, Julie Neil, Sandra Verbeke,

Welcome and Announcements:

Jeff Brunson, president opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests and introducing the officers. The guests were introduced by those who had invited them.
Jeff directed those with questions about joining ETCA to talk with Annie Wills, ME Chair, and those who were ready to join to see Shoray Kirk, treasurer.
Look for a questionnaire from Membership Engagement which will ask if you are interested in peer coaching and why.

Program: The Enneagram

Melanie McGhee introduced Annie Wills, who has studied the Enneagram, an ancient personality typing system, with Helen Palmer, who brought the study and use of the system to the US in the 1960’s. Originally designed by the Sufis as a spiritual tool, using it can not only help coaches reveal the client to themselves (one of the coaching competencies), it also provides a guide for growth and development – our own, our clients’. Understanding our own types and paths can help us find effective strategies for marketing and building our coaching practices.
Annie reviewed the nine types, usually referred to by numbers, but also identified by descriptive terms. For each type, she also described a leadership style, gave a marketing tip, and summed up the path of spiritual growth. For example, the perfectionist’s (1) block to connection with God is anger and their path is toward serenity.
1 – the perfectionist
2 – the helper
3 – the achiever
4 – the romantic
5 – the observer
6 – the questioner
7 – the adventurer
8 – the boss
9 – the peacemaker

Annie recommended The Enneagram Made Easy and Helen Palmer’s website (www.enneagramworldwide.com ) as good first resources to learn about the Enneagram. The website has an assessment to help you determine your type and lots of other information, including other resources and workshops.
Close:
Melanie McGhee adjourned the meeting.
Next Meeting: Because the second Friday of April is Good Friday, our next meeting will be on April 7, a week earlier than usual. Jan Martin will present “Writing as a Marketing Tool.”
Respectfully submitted,

Marcia Walker
Secretary, ETCA


 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-02-10
 

Attending the meeting:
Jeff Brunson, Michael Curry, Pris Dearolph, Lori Galbraith, Yvonne Hart, Judith Henry, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Shoray Kirk, Melanie McGhee, Jan Martin, Debbie Price, Larry Riesburg, David Sperry, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills.

New Guests: Cindy Winchester, Beth Chang

Opening: Jeff Brunson opened the meeting and welcomed guests. He reminded us that dues are payable to our treasurer Shoray Kirk and are now due.

Program: Melanie McGhee gave an overview of the program for the day, “Coaching Ourselves to New Heights.” The plan included overviews of each of the working committees, brief presentations on two coaching proficiencies, and time for meeting in committee groups to begin planning for the remainder of 2006.

Overview of the committees:
1. Member Engagement – by Annie Wills, 2006 chair. This year, the focus will be on streamlining the process of joining and creating ethics and standards for ETCA members.

2. Service and Outreach – by Marcia Walker, last year’s chair. In addition to maintaining the website and publicizing meetings, the SOC will focus on developing a Speakers’ Bureau in 2006.

3. Learning and Professional Development – by Melanie McGhee, 2006 chair. The LAPD coordinates the programs for our regular meetings and plans to host three mini-workshops after meetings this year. Another goal that is now under the LAPD is developing a Peer Coaching Program. This will be considered in both the ME and LAPD teams to see where it is the best fit.


Coaching Proficiency: Designing Supportive Environments
Melanie offered the following list of qualities of supportive environments:
1. inspire rather than drain
2. are sustainable
3. are everywhere
4. propel towards action
The environments that we (and our clients) work within include physical, relational, and emotional aspects. A supportive environment includes agreements that facilitate working together.

Group work: Putting the concept of designing supportive environments to work, we met in committee groups and spent 30 minutes discussing and creating the kind of team environments that will support our work together.

Coaching Proficiency: Honing in on What’s Important
Jeff led us through the basics of honing in on what’s important via three questions.

What is honing in on what’s important?
Notice what is occurring
Know what’s important to the client
Discover what’s most pressing to the client

What does it mean to hone in on what’s most important?
Distinguish between recent priorities and the current moment
Listening for what is not said
Using the client’s point of view – learn their language before you teach them another

What are the steps of honing in on what’s most important?
Ask questions
Listen for resonance
Define success

Group Work: The next step was for the groups to get started honing in on what’s most important for their committee’s work together this year. There was great enthusiasm and energy during this lively brainstorming time.

The Service and Outreach Committee elected Judith Henry as chair for 2006 and made plans for a next meeting.
The Member Engagement and Learning and Professional Development teams made plans for their next steps.

If you missed the meeting, please contact the chair of the committee that interests you.

Jeff acknowledged Melanie for leading us through the process, and for developing the program with the LAPD.

Meeting adjourned.

Next meeting will be Friday, March 10 from 11:30-1:00 p.m. The Executive Committee will meet prior to the regular meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Walker


 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2006-01-13
 

Members Present: Eric Benson, Jeff Brunson, Michael Curry, Lori Galbraith, Laimon, Yvonne Hart, Judith Henry, Janice Holman, Ellen Hitchcock, Sharon Hoover, Shoray Kirk, Jan Martin, Melanie McGhee, Marta Murrell, Debbie Price, Linda Pucci, David Sperry, Jan Walker, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills

Guests: Kevin Corbett, Brenda Owensby, Sandy Rees, Scott Geyer, Gary Gray

Welcome and Announcements:

Marta Murrell, vice-president opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests.

The guests were introduced by those who had invited them.

Dues for 2006 ($48) are due now and can be paid to our new treasurer, Shoray Kirk.

Program: Winning in 2006

Melanie McGhee introduced the theme for 2006 that came out of the Executive Team’s strategic planning session on January 6: “Putting the Coach Approach to Work for You”. As a part of that focus, the LAPD Committee will be including demonstrations of the coaching proficiencies in our programs. You can find a list of coaching proficiencies online at http://www.coachville.com/15prof.html.
Annie Wills and Marcia Walker demonstrated the skill of “navigating via curiosity” in a brief demo. The demo modeled the questions that the group explored in pairs next.
What is one professional goal you would like to claim as your win for next year?
What is your biggest reason for achieving this goal?
What is the biggest obstacle to achieving this goal?
The next step in the program was a full-table discussion of these three questions:
What do you need to learn to accomplish your win?
What do you need to practice?
How do you think ETCA can help you?
As we shared our responses in the large group, ideas for ETCA programs emerged, such as how to get your message out to your target market, managing business systems and flow, billing and collecting issues, and sharing the stories of developing our coaching businesses. Suggestions/requests were also raised about sharing information on what members are doing and offering, peer coaching, and a method for sharing wins at each meeting.
Close:

President Jeff Brunson acknowledged Melanie for the program and closed the meeting.

Next Meeting: The February meeting will be 2½ hours, from 11:30 to 2:00 and will include everyone in planning how ETCA can best serve coaches in 2006.
Respectfully submitted,

Marcia Walker
Secretary, ETCA


 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2005-10-14
 

Members Present: Karen Botica, Jeff Brunson, Raeus Cannon, Michael Curry, Lori Galbraith, Charlie Gehres, Laimon Godel, Yvonne Hart, Janice Holman, Sharon Hoover, Jo Anne Howell, Denny LeSage, Jan Martin, Marta Murrell, Linda Pucci, Marcia Walker,



Guests: Eric Benson, Debbie Price, Jan Walker.



Welcome and Announcements:

Sharon Hoover, ETCA President, opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests.



· The guests were introduced by those who had invited them.



· Katrina Disaster Recovery: Sharon Hoover asked members to contact if they are interested in serving on an Ad Hoc Committee that would examine whether there is a role for coaching and ETCA in a future disaster situation. Sharon said we were not prepared this time to assist the Katrina victims.



· Marta Murrell handed out information on Peer Coaching for coaches in ETCA. There are 3 options

1. Peer Coaching Only

2. Peer Coaching + Bi-monthly Face-to Face Meeting one hour prior to ETCA meeting

3. Peer Coaching + Group Tele-coaching

Please contact Marta if you want to sign up or if you have questions.



· Reminder that you can RSVP whether you are attending the ETCA meeting on our great new website: http://www.easttncoachesassoc.org.

You can also complete your member information on the web site if you have not completed it.



· The outstanding revised membership brochure was handed out. Thanks to Raeus Cannon and the Executive Committee on the new brochure.



· Sharon reported that the 2006 ICF Conference is not going to be in Knoxville. ICF decided to hold the conference in a first tier city. Sharon thanked those that helped with the ICF visit to Knoxville.



· Sharon announced the 2006 ETCA Officers that were elected:

President Jeff Brunson

Vice President and President-Elect Marta Murrell

Secretary Marcia Walker

Treasurer Shoray Kirk

Sharon thanked the nominating committee. Jeff Brunson said that Annie Wills had volunteered to stay on as Membership Committee Chair and Melanie McGhee had volunteered to stay on as LAPD Chair. We will only need a Chair for the SOC (Service and Outreach) Committee.



Program:



Finding a Niche for Your Hedgehog: The Next Step



Linda Pucci led the meeting to further discuss our hedgehog for our individual coaching business. She first asked each person to talk about their individual hedgehog at their table, especially addressing the questions:

What are you passionate about? Especially: WHY are you passionate about this?
What is your economic driver? Where do you or could you make the most money?
What so you do exceptionally well?
HOW CAN YOU MAKE MONEY DOING WHAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND DO WELL?



Linda then asked each person to discuss their niche at their table:

What do you do? And/or who do you do it with?
Who are your most likely customers?
What do you sell? What program or challenge do you answer?
What is your product or service? E.g. classes, individual coaching, group coaching, books, programs, etc.
Why do you do what you do? What is the benefit to your customers/clients?
What special services do you (or can you) provide? Who is your ideal client? Why should your clients turn to you?
WHAT IS YOUR NICHE?



Linda then asked each person to discuss at their table these questions:

How have you taken this information and incorporated it into your life? What has been valuable for you?
What has been the biggest challenge for you in implementing this?
Where are you in the process?
WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP FOR YOU?



Linda facilitated a discussion of the whole group:



What is the value of discussing your hedgehog and niche today?

It helps direct our thinking.
There is safety here.
We are forced to be specific.
We must focus.
It validates our ideas.
It is exciting.


What are the obstacles keeping you from pursuing your niche?

Myself
Fear
Not knowing how
Change
Self-worth
$ if you turn down clients not in your focus area
Forgetting the “what”
Perfectionism
Lack of action: inertia
Time
Don’t value self enough for pricing


What are you going to do next?

Positive focus
Reframing it
Look for positive rules and values of others
Complete shift in how I want to sell goods rather than services. I can reach a lot of people very affordably.
Refine marketing, advertising, how I talk to prospects
Getting into corporate work




Close:

The group thanked Linda for her excellent program.



The next meeting will be November 11, 2005.



Respectfully submitted,

Jo Anne Howell

Secretary, ETCA




 

Minutes of the Meeting for 2005-09-09
 

Members Present: Karin Botica, Jeff Brunson, Raeus Cannon, Michael Curry, Charles Gehres, Laimon Godel, Yvonne Hart, Judith Henry, Judith Ideker, Shoray Kirk, Elaine Lasher, Denny LeSage, Jan Martin, Melanie McGhee, Marta Murrell, Linda Pucci, Larry Riesberg, Rick Ross, Marcia Walker, Annie Wills
Guests: Connie Whitson-Forbes, Debbie Price

Greetings, fellow coaches. Today's meeting was presided over by Jeff Brunson, our president-elect. He presented us with the slate of nominated officers for 2006: Vice-president/president-elect - Marta Murrell; Secretary - Marcia Walker; Treasurer - Shoray Kirk. Pleas send a yes or no vote on the slate to current secretary, Jo Anne Howell, jachowell@tds.net within the next two weeks. Results will be announced at October's meeting. Thanks to Judith Ideker, and her committee, Melanie McGhee and Jerri Yates for putting this slate together.

The ETCA website is streaming live on the internet! The URL is www.easttncoachesassoc.org Please check it out and let Marcia know how great you think the site looks. Future reservations for ETCA meetings can be made through the site. You can also fill out your member information form on-line. Please fill out a form if you haven't done so.

Our speaker today was Raeus Cannon, who also conducted a workshop after the meeting. Her topic was "Finding Your Niche", and she had two great suggestions in the general meeting: 1) use colored business cards, rather than white, and 2) find a way to combine the way you spend your free time with the things you love most about your business, and see if that can be a niche for you. Thank you, Raeus, for your expertise today. If you'd like to learn more, Raeus is giving a free workshop Wednesday, September 14 from noon to one p.m. at Sun Trust Financial Center on Kingston Pike. Email her for details raeus@cannonsystems.com

Please bring your business cards to October's meeting, and if you have not received a card holder sheet, see me. We'll make an exchange of cards again, so that we have current versions of all members' cards. (If you were present at Raeus' first presentation earlier this summer, you know to have your cards with you at all times!)

Best wishes to our president, Sharon Hoover, for a speedy recovery from surgery.

Respectfully submitted,
Annie Wills, Ed.D.
Life Coach and Licensed Psychologist
865-256-9388
annie@fullcirclecoaching.net

 

Minutes of the Meeting for